Mobile Robot Light Signaling for Intuitive Manual Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems for mobile robots that autonomously move and transport objects do not effectively enable users and the surrounding environment to visually recognize necessary information in an easy-to-understand manner.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes light emission units positioned around a contact portion and an operation interface, allowing for synchronized or asynchronous light emission patterns to convey information based on predetermined conditions, enabling intuitive operation and information transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile robot is provided with an operation interface to receive movement operations from users, then the robot can be operated manually, but the type of information that needs to be visually recognized by the user and surrounding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission units are divided into multiple groups: first light emission units surrounding the contact portion, second light emission units surrounding the operation interface, and third light emission units on the mobile robot. Each group emits different light emission patterns to indicate different operational states, segments the information display across multiple locations to reduce the cognitive burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light emission patterns (different colors, blinking rates, or illumination states) are used to represent different operational modes and states of the mobile robot. This allows users to quickly recognize the robot's status at a glance without needing to interpret complex visual displays.
2Loss of information
If light emission units are added to indicate robot status and operation mode, then information recognition is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission units serve multiple functions: indicating operation mode (autonomous/manual), showing operational status (moving/stopped), and providing feedback about the contact portion state. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate indicator systems for each piece of information.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emission units are integrated into the existing structure of the mobile robot, contact portion, and operation interface rather than being added as separate external components. This merging approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive status indication.
3Loss of information
If multiple light emission patterns are used to indicate different conditions, then information transmission is enhanced, but the system requires more complex control logic
Solution Approach 1:
Different light emission patterns are assigned to different physical locations on the robot based on their functional significance. The contact portion lights indicate loading/unloading status, operation interface lights indicate control mode, and robot body lights indicate movement state. This localized approach simplifies the control logic by creating clear spatial associations between light patterns and their meanings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to intuitively operate the mobile robot and visually recognize necessary information, improving the understanding of the robot's status and operation mode, enhancing user interaction and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light emission unit including a first light emission unit disposed in a surrounding of the contact portion and a second light emission unit disposed on the operation interface or in a surrounding of the operation interface, to emit light in different light emission patterns associated with each of a plurality of predetermined conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A control system includes one or more processors configured to execute system control of controlling a system including a mobile robot that includes a contact portion configured to come into contact with a transport object in a case where the transport object is mounted and transported, and is configured to move based on a movement operation received by an operation interface. The system control includes light emission control of causing a light emission unit including a first light emission unit disposed in a surrounding of the contact portion and a second light emission unit disposed on or in a surrounding of the operation interface, to emit light in different light emission patterns associated with each of a plurality of predetermined conditions. The light emission control includes control of linking a light emission pattern in the first light emission unit with a light emission pattern in the second light emission unit.